Christened in Amsterdam on March 20, 2013, Viking River Cruises' 190-passenger Viking Bragi is one of 10 new vessels the fast-growing line is rolling out in Europe this year. USA TODAY's Gene Sloan offers a photo tour. Courtesy of Viking River Cruises

The Viking Bragi is the latest of Viking River Cruises' "longships," a new generation of vessels that began rolling out in 2012. Courtesy of Viking River Cruises

A scene from the christening of the Viking Bragi, the front of which can be seen at the left. The ship measures 135 meters long, the maximum length a vessel can be and still fit through the locks of Europe's central waterways. It has three passengers deck and 95 cabins. Courtesy of Viking River Cruises

A central staircase rises from the lobby on Viking Bragi's Middle Deck to the Upper Deck, the highest of the ship's three passenger decks. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

A sitting area just off the Viking Bragi's lobby, which is bathed in light during the day by wide skylights above. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Located in a corner of the Viking Bragi's lobby is the ship's small reception area. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Also in the lobby is a small shop area selling clothing, toiletries and other souvenirs. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The lobby also is home to a concierge desk. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

As is typical on river ships in Europe, the Viking Bragi has a single large lounge at the front of its highest passenger deck that serves as a central gathering place for passengers. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Observation Lounge, as it's called, is the site of daily port-orientation talks and lectures, as well as evening cocktails and musical entertainment. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Like the rest of the ship, the bar in the Observation Lounge has a sleek, contemporary design. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Another innovative feature on the Viking Bragi and its sister ships is an all-weather indoor/outdoor terrace at the bow. The terrace has retractable floor-to-ceiling glass doors that can be closed during inclement weather. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Called Aquavit, the Viking Bragi's terrace area has seating for several dozen passengers with views over the ship's bow. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Made possible by a new, patented bow design, the wide-open Aquavit Terrace is home to a buffet area where light lunches can be served to passengers as the ship sails. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

One of two self-serve coffee and tea stations located on the Upper Desk near the Observation Lounge. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

A sitting area near one of the Viking Bragi's coffee stations. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

A sitting area near one of the Viking Bragi's coffee stations. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Viking Bragi has a small computer station with two computers for accessing the Internet. Passengers also can log onto the Internet from their rooms and the ship's public areas via a wireless internet signal. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The ship also has a small library area. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Viking Bragi's restaurant is big enough to serve all 190 passengers on board the vessel in a single seating each night. It's located at the front of the ship one deck below the Observation Lounge. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Another view of the Viking Bragi's restaurant. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Called the Sun Deck, the outdoor rooftop deck of the Viking Bragi offers sheltered lounge chairs and tables from where passengers can watch the passing scenery. A caveat: The Sun Deck is closed when the ship passes through regions with low bridges. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Sun Deck also offers a putting green as well as a giant chess board and a shuffleboard court. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

A close-up of the chess board on the Sun Deck. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

A life buoy along the Sun Deck sports the Viking Bragi's name. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Sun Deck of the Viking Bragi also harbors an herb garden. The herbs are used by the ship's chefs in the preparation of evening meals. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Viking Bragi flies the flag of Switzerland, where it is registered. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Viking Bragi features an elevator to transport passengers between decks. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

A corridor to cabins on the Viking Bragi. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Viking Bragi features a wide range of cabin sizes ranging from 135 to 445 square feet (the latter billed as the largest cabins on a river ship in Europe). Here, the smallest of the ship's cabin categories, a French Balcony Stateroom. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

There are 22 French Balcony Staterooms on the ship, all located on the Middle Deck (the second of three passenger decks). As their name suggests, they feature floor-to-ceiling glass doors known as French balconies. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Standard in all bathrooms on the Viking Bragi are L'Occitane shampoo, shower gel and other bath products. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

French Balcony Staterooms have wide built-in wardrobes that feature shelving and a safe on one side and space for hanging clothes on the other side. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

A view of the space for hanging clothes in French Balcony Stateroom wardrobes. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Each French Balcony Stateroom has a miniature refrigerator. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The desk areas in cabins have both U.S.- and European-style outlets. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Viking Bragi and its sisters also feature nine large, two-room suites, including two 445-square-foot Explorer Suites (one of which is shown here). Viking is boasting that the ships are the only river cruise vessels in Europe with an array of true suites -- that is, cabins that have an en-suite sitting room in addition to a bedroom. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Explorer Suites feature separate sleeping and sitting quarters, a full balcony and French balcony and two flat-panel televisions. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

A close-up of the desk area in an Explorer Suite. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY